Abu Sayyaf commander with P5.3M bounty killed in Sulu

From Rappler (Nov 22): Abu Sayyaf commander with P5.3M bounty killed in Sulu

Abu Sayyaf commander Sihata Muallom Asmad – also known as Sihata Latip, Ka Tatang, and Tatang – is killed while resisting arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges

An Abu Sayyaf commander with a P5.3-million ($118,000) bounty was killed while resisting arrest in Parang town in Sulu on Saturday, November 22, police authorities said.

At around 4:45 pm on Saturday, a joint police and military team conducted an operation in Barangay Duyan Kaha in Parang, Sulu which led to the arrest of Abu Sayyaf commander Sihata Muallom Asmad, also known as Sihata Latip, Ka Tatang, and Tatang.

Asmad was served with a warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in relation to the 2001 Golden Harvest plantation kidnapping in Basilan, where the Abu Sayyaf abducted 15 workers; and the abduction of 6 Jehovah's Witnesses in 2002.

"However, during the service of warrant, the subject resisted arrest leading to a firefight that resulted in his death and slightly wounding one of the arresting personnel," said Police Chief Inspector Elizabeth Jasmin of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

Jasmin said that Asmad "carries a monetary reward of P5.3 million and recently gained notoriety for his involvement in the Taiwanese and German couple kidnapping incidents."

In November 2013, the Abu Sayyaf killed a Taiwanese businessman in Sabah and abducted his wife, who was released a month later.

In April, the Abu Sayyaf snatched two German tourists in Palawan and released them in October, reportedly in exchange for a hefty ransom.

In November, local mayors of Basilan province urged the government to step up its operations against the group, following the ambush of 6 soldiers, including a junior officer, in Sumisip town.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/75800-abu-sayyaf-commander-killed-sulu